Contrary to what you may have read, Wichita’s Aspen Boutique is not closing

If you do a Facebook search for Aspen Boutique, the first thing that pops up is Wichita’s 38-year-old store that’s in the center at the northwest corner of Douglas and Oliver.

The second thing that appears in the search is a post that says Aspen is going out of business and is having an 80%-off sale.

There are several clues that this isn’t Wichita’s Aspen, which is one of the city’s most-popular women’s clothing and jewelry stores, but there are all kinds of Wichitans who saw the post and responded with a sad face or shared the news with disappointment.

Then there are several posts — including one from Aspen owner Allison Baker — explaining that the Wichita store is not closing.

“Don’t be scammed!!” Baker wrote. “Aspen Boutique in Wichita, KS is *not* closing! Sorry if you’ve seen the Chinese company’s post .. it isn’t us here in KS. Thank you for all the kind words and support!”

Baker did research and learned the closing notice was created in December by someone in China.

“It was intentionally served to customers here,” she said. “It’s just been a total nightmare.”

She’s reported the post to Facebook, but it’s still showing up in some places, and customers have been calling her.

“People were like, ‘I almost had a stroke.’ ”

Some who tried ordering clothing from the other Aspen Boutique called Baker’s store when they had problems with their orders.

“We have had all kinds of people coming in the store looking for the sale,” she said. “Good friends of mine . . . have sent me these heartfelt messages.”

Even her landlord called wondering what’s going on.

“The whole thing is a fraud,” Baker said. “They very intentionally tried to get our customer base to think it was us and go to their website.”

She said she believes the post was designed to get people’s credit card information.

“Unfortunately, I think it’s a good reminder that we need to support our local businesses,” Baker said. “They’re part of the fabric of our community.”

In addition to knowing the owners of local businesses and trusting them with credit card information, Baker said there are other reasons to shop local.

“It would be a really boring place if all we had for shopping was online options.”

Baker also owns the Vault, a home furnishing and furniture store, across from Aspen in Lincoln Heights Village.

That’s where she’s also opening a third business in the next few months.

Baker isn’t sharing all the details yet, but the new store will have a very specific clientele.

Look for more information, along with an opening date, in the coming weeks.